Ten Favorites: Artists Cover Bob Dylan

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On May 24th 1991, I was the program director of a station in Minneapolis. It was part of my lovely 12 month sabbatical in the Great White North. In honor of [lastfm]Bob Dylan[/lastfm]’s 50th birthday, I presided over a Bob-a-thon, 10 hours of Dylan. Dylan songs done by Bob and by others. We invited local musicians like [lastfm]Soul Asylum[/lastfm] to come by and play Dylan songs live on the air. I enjoyed the special programming more than my owner who thought I was insane. Hmmmmm.

Today, Mr. Dylan turns 70! He is arguably the greatest lyricist of the rock and roll generations and many of his songs received a better reception when they were done by other people. Here are my 10 favorite Dylan covers.

Jimi Hendrix- All Along the Watchtower

So many performers have recorded this one. Dave Mason, Michael Hedges, U2, Dave Matthews. Jimi’s version is so iconic that you will, someday, have a bitter argument with someone who believes that it is a Hendrix tune.